Week Four: 'Whiplash' Slowly Rising

Resource
‘Whiplash’ Charts Slow But Steady Expansion at Box Office

Citation
Lang, B. (2014, November 3). 'Whiplash' Charts Slow But Steady Expansion at Box Office. Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://variety.com/2014/film/news/whiplash-box-office-expansion-1201346308/

Summary
     The article explains how Whiplash's distributer, Sony Pictures Classics, plans on rise in Box Office. Sony Pictures Classics, who got the film's distribution rights at the Sundance film festival. Due to the lack of A-list actors and it having a complex story, alone it wouldn't be able to be as successful. Whats Sony decided to do, in order to gain the desired amount of view, they released the film in a slow and steady pace. It started out being released in only 6 theaters then little by little reached 61 after a month, and expanded more from there. The reasoning behind this strategy is their intention of trying to  the expose the movie as a 'classic' American film, which is apparently Sony's forte. 

Quotes
• “These pictures tend to have great word-of-mouth. We release them like an accordion, where we go wider and wider, before eventually we contract a little.”

• "The film’s producer Jason Blum said he appreciates the methodical way Sony Pictures Classics is introducing the film to the wider world."

Reflection
     I, at first, found it very strange finding out Sony's tactics on how the film was going to be distributed. My expectations were that they were going to distribute 'Whiplash' to as many theaters as soon as possible in order for it to gain the fame they desire. Fortunately, I do enjoy this idea of slowly bringing to the top and having it become one of the 'classic' films. This way, the film would also be around for several years like The Breakfast Club or The Perks Of Being a Wallflower where they have made a stamp in indie films. Its definitely a different approach having the film warm up to the audience. 
     This tactic is a smart one to use when distributing such a low budget film with very little recognizable famous actors and doesn't seem to have the simplistic storyline. Its defiantly a great alternative for any filmmaker and how they might help the film rise to the top.